As a householder, when you hear the word thermometer, you might think of small stick-like instruments that are used to measure fevers or temperature of food while baking. However, did you know that thermometers based on infrared technology are used in large scale industrial applications? They are a must-have for most manufacturing units wherein machinery, and electrical circuits are in use throughout the day. This article will help you learn how to use Infrared Thermometer. One of the main areas wherein it is used extensively in the foodservice industry.
Professional chefs and even large scale companies that manufacture edible items have been using the infrared food thermometers for years. These thermometers work on a non-contact system, so you do not have to insert the actual thermometer in the food being cooked or processed. These devices pick up the heat radiations emitting from objects and convert these radiations into electrical impulses that are displayed in the form of an image or different heat units. Plus, most of these devices come with a built-in laser beam that helps you focus directly on the spot or area to be measured.
Until recently, these handheld infrared thermometers were used only for the food industry and considered too expensive for use at smaller restaurants, homes, etc. However, now these devices have lowered prices and people are realizing their importance. They are now used for a variety of applications like:
- Complete temperature measurement
- Monitoring solutions
- Food protection by detecting safety issues with storage areas
- Verifying the prescribed temperatures while processing certain types of food items
- Inspection for checking food quality based on its temperature
- Calibration of the kinds of equipment used for cooking, storing and preparing food items
With devices that have such varied applications, it is essential that the one you buy for your eatery, home kitchen or industrial facility, works effectively and is durable. Any infrared thermometer gun has to have the following features.
- It should be able to measure temperatures ranging from -35 to over 250 degree Celsius
- Along with non-contact measurement, it should also have a built-in, fold-out probe for internal measurement
- HACCP check lights that denote safe and unsafe temperatures
- LED beam to help isolate the exact area for analysis
- Bright and backlit display for precise readings
- A timer facility that shows countdown for monitoring, cooling and HACCP exposure timing.
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Infrared thermometers are handy for monitoring food quality in different positions. In this article, you will receive information about how to use Infrared Thermometer tool to measure temperature, to maintain the proper temperature, to avoid all kinds of foodborne diseases.
Different foods require different temperatures for service or sale, as well as for storage, and infrared thermometers help maintain them. Food, such as meat dishes, fresh fish or cold buffets, should be stored at 4.4 ° C and not more. This complies with the FDA Food Act 2000.
In the same way, you can use the Best Infrared Thermometer to measure the temperature needed for thermal storage of cooked foods. It should be noted here that the temperature, in this case, should remain at 60 ° C (140 ° F) or higher. This is especially true for soups, gravies, and other liquid foods.
If you plan to cool pre-cooked food (including leftovers), it is recommended to check the temperature readings, which should be maintained at a temperature of 60 to 21.1 ° C for two hours, and then to below 4.4 ° C for cooling the appropriate. The next four hours keep this because it has been discovered that improper cooling is a source of food-borne disease outbreaks.
Warming up is an essential part of cooking, as it kills all harmful bacteria that can multiply due to improper cooling or storage. Infrared thermometers can be used to maintain the proper temperature for heating food. According to generally accepted standards, temperatures should be kept at a minimum of 165 ° F (73.9 ° C) to kill bacteria caused by improper refrigeration or storage.
Also, you can use infrared thermometers to maintain the temperature required to prepare specific recipes that require a particular temperature. In addition to supporting the desired temperature, it also helps avoid interference when using a traditional contact thermometer.
Therefore, infrared thermometers have become indispensable in the food industry and manufactured to maintain quality. I hope now you have learned how to use Infrared Thermometer and more about this tool.